2012 in review: key health issues

New international treaty to combat illicit trade in tobacco products

After four years of negotiations, delegates representing more than 140 Parties to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control on 12 November adopted a new international treaty to combat illegal trade in tobacco products. Illicit trade, including smuggling and illegal manufacturing, undermines health objectives, imposes additional strain on health systems, and weakens tax and other tobacco control measures. The Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products commits countries to establishing a global tracking and tracing system.